Chembarambakkam Lake, Freshwater reservoir in Chennai, India

Chembarambakkam Lake is a rain-fed reservoir in Kancheepuram district, Tamil Nadu, about 25 km from Chennai, held behind a long straight embankment of pale grey stone and earth. Its full tank level is 85.40 ft (26.03 m) and its capacity 3,645 million cubic feet, with a 9 km shoreline carrying 19 small and 5 large sluices and two kalangal overflow sections.

The lake was built during the reign of Rajendra Chola I in the 11th century and was known then as Puliyur Kottam. Over the centuries the basin was expanded and reinforced several times to meet the water needs of growing settlements in the area.

The lake's name comes from the village of Chembarambakkam, which the Cholas knew as Puliyur Kottam, one of 24 kottams in Thondai Mandalam under Kanchipuram. An ancient Shiva temple and a Kanni Koil stand at the site, and the lake is one of four reservoirs supplying Chennai's drinking water.

Access to the shore is possible at some points, but the ground can become muddy after rains and the terrain is uneven. It is wise to come early in the morning or late afternoon when the heat is less intense and birds are more active.

The Adyar River begins at this water body and flows through Chennai to the Bay of Bengal. Sediment buildup has reduced the storage capacity of the lake noticeably over the decades, affecting its role as a drinking water source.